This week, I met with Ofwat along with fellow South West MPs to ensure the new laws passed are holding water companies to account. Ofwat is currently conducting an investigation into South West Water and we are all determined to see the investigation conducted as quickly and as effectively as possible.
The Government has passed a raft of new laws which hold water companies to account. From restricting dividend payments and issuing unlimited fines to sending Directors and CEO’s to jail and revoking licences, we now have some of the most stringent laws in Europe to ensure our water network is improved. Coupled with the increase in monitoring of our waterways, we are making the necessary changes to ensure they become the cleanest in Europe.
Meeting this ambition only works if Ofwat and the Environment Agency have the law behind them and the support of Government. Fortunately, the measures are now in place and this meeting served as useful update for Devon and Cornish MPs to understand how South West Water is being pushed to comply and improve.